Ethical Argument for Biodiversity

People give many reasons for conserving biodiversity. Some are economic, based on how living things benefit humans. Ethical arguments are different: they say that biodiversity should be protected because it is the right thing to do, whether or not humans benefit.The main ethical arguments are:1. Intrinsic value. Every species has value in itself, not just value to humans. Each species has a right to exist, and humans do not have the right to cause its extinction.2. Stewardship. Humans are the dominant species on Earth and have the power to destroy or protect other species. With this power comes a responsibility to look after the natural world. Many religions and cultures share this view.3. Future generations. Extinction is permanent. People alive today have a duty not to deprive future generations of species and ecosystems they may value or need.4. Human responsibility. Most current extinctions are caused by human activity, so humans have a moral duty to reduce the damage.5. Aesthetic and cultural value. Many people find wildlife and landscapes beautiful and inspiring, and some species have religious or cultural importance.Ethical arguments have limits. They are based on values rather than evidence, so not everyone agrees with them, and they can be hard to weigh against human needs such as food, jobs and housing. In practice, decisions about conservation usually combine ethical arguments with economic arguments, such as the value of ecosystem services, medicines and tourism.In an exam, make it clear whether an argument is ethical (a moral duty) or economic (a benefit to humans).